Three MLB Trade Deadline Deals That We Want To See Happen

With the July 30 trade deadline six weeks away, here are three impactful moves we want to see:

New York Mets 1B Pete Alonso to the Chicago Cubs

The Cubs were quiet last offseason and kept much of their 2023 roster intact, but it’s time to make a huge splash and become a serious contender in the National League Central and wild-card races by landing Alonso.

Boasting the majors’ No. 2 farm system per MLB.com, the North Siders have a plethora of prospects they can ship for the 29-year-old Mets right-handed-hitting slugger, who is making 20.5 million in 2024 but is slated to be a free agent after the season.

The Cubs have remained in the playoff hunt mainly on the strength of their pitching staff, highlighted by rookie standout Shota Imanaga, but acquiring an impact middle-of-the-order bat like Alonso would provide a jolt to their scuffling offense and take some pressure off the starting rotation. It would also serve as notice to the rival Brewers that the Cubs are going for it.

Alonso has heated up following a sluggish start and has thrived in the friendly confines of Wrigley, where the three-time All-Star slashed. 286/.410/.816 with eight homers and 18 RBIs in 14 games entering this season.

St. Louis Cardinals RP Ryan Helsley to the Baltimore Orioles

The O’s have few obvious needs as they battle the Yankees for American League East supremacy, but landing an elite closer could help secure their first World Series berth since they won it all in 1983.

With All-Star Felix Bautista out for the season and Craig Kimbrel lacking consistency, adding Helsley would also show Baltimore is going all in after standing pat for the past two trade deadlines.

Boasting the No. 1 farm system per MLB.com, the O’s could certainly entice the Cards to move Helsley for prospects if St. Louis falls out of a tightly-packed NL wild-card chase and opts for a rebuild.

Need another reason for Baltimore to make this deal happen? 

The 29-year-old right-hander is taking home $3.8 million on a one-year contract and is under club control through next season.

Chicago White Sox LHP Garrett Crochet to San Diego Padres

According to several reports, the White Sox are reportedly open to trading anyone on their roster and the Padres’ rotation needs and reported interest (per The Athletic) in the rising young left-hander, this deal makes sense for both sides.

The 24-year-old Crochet, who has emerged as an ace for the lowly White Sox, is earning just $800,000 this season, is controllable through 2026, and will be a hot commodity on the trade market. Per MLB.com, he’d also likely fetch more than the trio of top prospects the White Sox received from the Padres in exchange for right-hander Dylan Cease in March, but San Diego is missing right-handers Joe Musgrove (elbow inflammation) and Yu Darvish (groin strain).

Fortunately for the contending Padres, they have the majors’ No. 4 farm system per MLB.com, thanks in part to the Juan Soto trade to the New York Yankees, so dealing more elite prospects wouldn’t deplete their prospects list.

With a top-10 offense boosted by the acquisition of two-time batting champion Luis Arraez earlier this season, San Diego president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller has shown he’s remaining aggressive in the team’s pursuit of a return to the postseason.